Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the wonderful women in my life who have helped to make me the person I am today.

First of all, of course, there is my own dear mother. My mom has been gone fourteen years now and that just doesn't seem possible.

This is my mom about the time I was born. A single mom, she always put me first in her life. She worked hard to provide for me. I have such wonderful memories of her from those days. When I was nine, she married my step-dad (who was my father in every sense of the word) and raised his two children too. My mom always made us feel equal and was looked up to by all who knew her.

Being a single mother in the 1940's couldn't have been easy, but she was blessed with a wonderful mother of her own, my Grandma, and two devoted sisters, my Aunt Letty and Aunt Jessie. I was so loved and cared for by this quartet of women. They have a special place in my heart forever. Along with these sisters, stood the sisters-in-law, my Aunt Myrle and Aunt Jane who took me into their families and loved me.

My dad's sisters became instant aunts to me; Aunt Elsie, Mary, Dorothy and Betty (my dear Aunt Bets). I loved them all. Only my Aunt Bets and Aunt Mary survive today and I treasure them and the little time I spend with them.

No tribute to the women in my life would be complete without mentioning those who taught me not only academics, but lessons of life: Mrs. Stampe, Mrs. Miller, Miss Chapel, Miss Ruvo, Mrs. Streeter, Mrs. Fickinger and Miss Collins, all dedicated to molding our young lives. My hat is off to all of you.

If you are a reader of my blog at all, you know that I adore my dear Mother-in-law. Not only is she a beautiful, Christian woman, she is a wonderful mother and mother-in-law. She welcomed all three of her daughters-in-law and treats us as if we were her own daughters. At 95, mom is still in the center of our family, praying for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren every day. We love her so.

Over the years God has blessed me with women who have befriended, cajoled, praised and supported me. I am so grateful to all of you, especially The Loser Housewives who make my days brighter and my burdens lighter.

And you, my blogland friends, whose joys and burdens, questions and insights I get to share each day as I read your posts; Anne, Lynilu, Winifred, Fay, Dagmar, Laura, Patti, Michelle, Tracy, Cheryl, Chrissy, Dana, Louise, one of my heart's desires is to someday meet you. We are friends without having ever met. Thank you for your part in my life.

Of course, I wouldn't be a mom without these two beautiful young women:

I am so proud of you both and I thank you for all the joys you've given me. It is such a privilege to be your mother.

Happy Mother's Day

~Hippo Hugs~